Financial Literacy 2.0

10-Session Financial Literacy Course Outline for SHMS Students for Spring 2025

Session 1: What is Money and Its History? (90 minutes)

• Understanding money and its role in daily life

• Brief history of money: From barter system to modern currencies

• Timeline activity: Evolution of money, including barter, coins, paper money, credit cards, and cryptocurrencies

Session 2: How Do People Earn Money? (90 minutes)

• Different ways people earn money (jobs, small businesses)

• Financial advantages and disadvantages of having a job vs. running a business

• Discussion on kid-friendly ways to earn (chores, lemonade stands)

• Introduction to simple and compound interest:

• Simple interest: Interest is calculated only on the initial principal

• Compound interest: Interest is calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest

Session 3: Saving Money - Why and How? (90 minutes)

• Importance of saving money

• Different real methods people use to save money:

• Setting up a savings account

• Automatic savings plans

• Cutting down unnecessary expenses

• Couponing and discounts

Session 4: Spending Wisely and Understanding Behavior (90 minutes)

• How to make smart spending choices

• Introduction to behavioral spending: How feelings can affect spending

• Simple explanation of cognitive biases (e.g., impulse buying)

• Game: Identify why people might spend more than they need

Session 5: Understanding Debt and Credit (90 minutes)

• Understanding borrowing money (debt) and paying it back

• Examples of good debt vs. bad debt:

• Good debt: Student loans, mortgage (investing in education or property)

• Bad debt: High-interest credit card debt, payday loans

• Understanding good credit vs. bad credit:

• Good credit: Responsible use of credit cards, paying bills on time

• Bad credit: Missing payments, too much debt

• Activity: Practice managing pretend credit cards and debt

Session 6: Basics of Banking and Modern Financial Services (90 minutes)

• What banks do and how they help keep money safe

• Other financial lending institutions: Credit unions, online banks, and microfinance organizations

• Introduction to different methods of banking: ATMs, branch banking, and online banking

• Modern digital banking practices: Mobile banking apps, online payments, and security tips

• Role-play: Visiting a bank or using a digital banking app

Session 7: What is Investing? (90 minutes)

• Introduction to investing and how it helps grow money

• Methods of investing:

• Stocks, ETFs, and Bonds

• Real estate (buying property to rent or sell)

• Bullion (gold, silver, and other precious metals)

• Cryptocurrency as an investment option

• Simple explanations and how each method works

• Activity: Create a pretend investment portfolio with different types of investments

Session 8: Taxation and Retirement Planning (90 minutes)

• Basics of taxes and how they help the community

• Simple examples of what taxes pay for (schools, roads)

• Introduction to retirement planning: Why start early, and what accounts exist (e.g., 401(k), IRA)

• Fun quiz: Identify things taxes help pay for

• Activity: Imagine a future retirement plan

Session 9: New Money and Modern Trends (90 minutes)

• What are cryptocurrencies and how do they work?

• Other digital trends in money:

• Digital wallets and mobile payments (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay)

• Peer-to-peer payment systems (e.g., Venmo, Cash App)

• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and their use in digital art and collectibles

• The concept of distributed banking: DeFi (Decentralized Finance) and blockchain technology

• Exploring the future of money: How digital trends are changing the financial world

• Activity: Research and present on a new digital trend in finance

Session 10: Financial Planning for a Better Future (90 minutes)

• The importance of financial planning at different life stages

• Key life goals and milestones:

• Higher education

• First job

• Starting a business

• Marriage and family planning

• Buying a home

• Retirement planning

• Investing for long-term goals

• How to plan for these goals with smart saving, investing, and budgeting

• Activity: Create a personalized financial plan for the future, including major milestones

This course is designed to benefit both returning students as well as those enrolling for the first time. Returning students will expand on the knowledge they’ve already gained, while new students will be introduced to key concepts that will build a strong financial foundation.

About Teacher(s)- 

My name is Manish Gupta, and I’m thrilled to teach this Financial Literacy course for our SHMS students. As a parent of a middle schooler myself, I understand the importance of equipping young minds with the right skills to navigate the complex world of money. Over the years, I’ve seen how financial decisions, even at a young age, can have a lasting impact on our children’s future. Financial literacy is a vital life skill that will help children make smart choices about saving, spending, and planning for the future. That’s why I’m passionate about bringing this knowledge to young students.

This spring, I’m excited to co-teach the course with my high school daughter and her friends, who run a club at their school, called “Financial Fortitude”.. They will bring their expertise and enthusiasm to the course, leading interactive games, trivia, mock investing simulations, and role-playing activities. This collaborative experience will provide students with hands-on learning and peer-to-peer engagement, making the concepts come alive in a fun and memorable way.

The high school students who will be assisting me in Spring are - Siyona Gupta, Kaushal Kalluri, Yashita Rani, Keigan Brammer, and Calvin Smith.